Students in the News

Graduate Student Receives Award for Excellence in Nano Research

Rice doctoral student Yuhuang Wang is one of two Texas graduate students to be awarded the first Graduate Student Research Fellowships, recognizing excellence in nanotechnology research with potential applications in life sciences and/or energy, from the Nanotechnology Foundation of Texas (NFT).

Wang, one of 18 nominees from eight universities, received the David G. Nance Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Nanotechnology. Of the six finalists for the award, three were from Rice and one each from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Dallas, and the University of Houston. Tobias Hanrath of the University of Texas at Austin received the George Kozmetsky Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Nanotechnology.

The awards recognize work in the fields related to nanotechnology, the only field of science where Texas has a leadership position around the world. The awards include grants for stipend, travel, lab supplies, books, equipment, and other direct costs associated with candidates’ projects related to nanotechnology. The winners will also have an opportunity to address the 2004 Nano Summit.

Senior Earns Top Honors in USA Today Competition

Rice University senior Tamar Losleben is one of just 20 students nationwide to receive top honors in USA Today’s competition for the prestigious 2004 All-USA College Academic First Team.

Losleben, who graduates this spring with degrees in environmental science and engineering and studio art, received first-team honors and earned a $2,500 award and publicity in the February 12 issue of USA Today. Losleben was recognized for her longstanding commitment to help provide potable water, housing, and other basic needs for people in developing countries. Most notably, Losleben helped co-found Rice’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders in 2003 and served as co-president of the group.

The team of 20 was selected by a panel of judges from a pool of more than 600 students nominated by colleges and universities across the United States. Judges considered grades, leadership, activities, and most importantly, how students had extended their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Losleben was named to the All-USA College Academic Second Team in 2003.

Speech and Debate Team Wins First at State Tournament

Rice’s speech and debate team, the George R. Brown Forensics Society, won first place in the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Fall State Championship tournament held in San Marcos last November.

The competition comprised 18 debate teams and 219 individual speaking-event competitors. Assistant director of forensics Jeremy Grace said that out of 14 university and college teams, Rice’s team also won 19 individual awards and three team awards. The team placed first in the overall sweepstakes category, first in debate sweepstakes, and second in individual event sweepstakes. The team also won 21 separate debates and “closed out” finals in debate, which meant the two best teams remaining at the end of the tournament were both from Rice. Overall, Rice received 10 individual state championships.

—Reported by Jade Boyd, Ellen Chang, and Lindsey Fielder